Recorder



Nov. 11, 1952 M. 1;. JEFFREY 7,

RECORDER Filed Jan. 15, 1949 16 Sheets-Sheet l IDLE TIME SYM L ID LE TIME ASG 1G 15 84 2O 03 I7 14 57 I I INVENTOR. MA X L. JEFFREY Nov. 11, 1952 M. L. JEFFREY RECORDER l6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1949 INVENTOR MAX L :YEFFREY BY NOV; 11, 1952 JEFFREY 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 16 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

JVAX l. JEFFREY NOV. 1 1, I952 JEFFREY 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 16 Sheets-Sheet 4 JNVEN TOR. MAX 1.. JEFFREY Nov. 11, 1952 M. L. JEFFREY 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 16 Sheets-Sheet 5 @HRMME rams MARK flag THE NA'TWNALACME @0,

CLEVELAND, OHIO MADE IN U-S-A- INVENTOR. MAX L. JEFFREY BY/-u W NW. 11, 1952 M. L. JEFFREY 2,617,706 RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 16 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. MAX L. JEFFPEY i/MW Nov. 11, 1952" M. L. JEFF REY 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR. MAX L. JEFFREY BY/'U.W

NOV. 11, 1952 JEFFREY 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 1 6 Sheets-Sheet 9 awman I INVENTOR. MAX L. JEFFREY 11, 1952 L JEFFREY Q 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 16 Sheets- Sheet 10 2 439 4/5 5 63 fizz/ 1 29 JO IN V EN TOR. MAX LJEFFREY BY 5; 4Q p ng 1 NOV 11, 1952 JEFFREY 2,617,706

RECORDER Filed Jan. 13, 1949 IG Sh eetS-Sheet 11 INVENTOR. MAX L. JEFFEEY BY Nov. 11, 1952 M L. JEFFREY RECORDER l6 Sheets-Sheet 13 Filed Jan. 13, 1949 Nov. 11, 1952 M. 1.. JEFFREY RECORDER 1s Sheefs-$heet 14 Filed Jan. 13, 1949 INVENTOR. MAX 1.. JEFFREY mNN Nov. 11, 1952 Filed Jan. 13, 1949 lIIIlIlIIIIIIIIIIIII IFIIIIIIIllllllll 4 M. L. JEFFREY RECORDER 16 SheetsSheet l6 INVENTOR. MAX L JEFFREY Patented Nov. 11, 1952 RECORDER Max L. J efirey, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to The National Acme Company, Cleveland, Ohio Application January 13, 1949, Serial No. 70,641

This invention relates to recording machines, and more particularly to a recording machine which may be used in conjunction with production machinery in a factory for recording certain data as to the operator, time of operation, production output and other items of interest in combination with the working of the factory machine enabling the cost department to compute costs of operation on the materials being worked as well as determine the efiiciency of operation of the machine.

Although machines for accomplishing the foregoing have heretofore been proposed, there have been many disadvantages in such machines which the present invention overcomes. One of the drawbacks of the previous devices was that they were large and bulky as well as complicated in their operation.

By my present invention, I have provided a machine which is small, compact and easy to construct and wherein the operation is greatly simplified.

Among other things, I have provided an improved counter mechanism which operates with greater accuracy and which is so constructed that it may be easily removed from the remainder of the unit for replacement or changing the parts.

The counter mechanism cooperates with a ribbon and a tape together with printing hamthere to cause the numbers or indicia on the counter to be permanently recorded on the tape at the conclusion of certain periods of operation or time. In this connection, the ribbon "feed is such that the ribbon only passes through the mechanism once during its use, and therefore there is housed for a ribbon reversing mechanism; and because the ribbon not in use isrolled up prior to use, with a minimum amount of ribbon being exposed to the air, there is less tendency for the ribbon to dry out and result in imperfect printing.

The tape can be inserted in position in the machine by persons having a minimum of experience with such devices. During use, the tape is entirely enclosed and is thus not apt to become dirty. The tape, as it is used, is coiled up in a chamber from which it can readily be removed for examination, and does not have to be threaded onto a take-up reel as in the prior devices. The receptacle for receiving the tape is so arranged that it may be used as a platen for making notations thereon when desired.

The printing means is so arranged that it prints uniformly regardless of changes in line voltage or of the time of energization of the 26 Claims. (Cl. 346--81) 2 printing circuit, thus eliminating faulty printing which sometimes occurred when electrically operated printers were energized at a time when the cycle of alternating current was passe through zero potential.

The printing device also includes a printing hammer mechanism with hammers that, although actuated in unison, print independently thus assuring a more legible printing. The hammer tension may also be adjusted to provide the proper impression on the tape.

The mechanism for holding and feeding the paper tape is 'such that it automatically brings the tape into proper alignment in spite of the fact that it may have been improperly aligned when placed in the device, and maintains that align ment after it is in the device.

Still other advantages of the invention, and the invention itself, will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which description is illustrated by the accompanying drawings and forms a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the other side;

, Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view, with certain partsibroken away to show the interior parts;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 6 isan exploded view showing the manner in which the recorder mechanism may be separated from the rest of the device;

Fig. 7 is a view from the front of the device with one of the covers removed and the other shown. in section illustrating the appearance of the interior mechanism, in this view certain of the parts are shown in section;

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken from the top of the device;

Fig. 9 is a similar view of the side shown in Fig. 2 with the cover plate and the setting knob removed;

. Fig. 10 is a View taken on line l0-|0 of Fig. 1, with the housing and cover being shown insection and the remaining parts in elevation;

Fig 11 is a similar view taken on the line I l-l l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2l2 of Fig. 10 with one of the covers removed and showing the number wheels in full lines;

Fig. 13 is an exploded view of the printing mechanism disassembled from the remainder of the structure;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of one of the hammers;

Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the hammer operating sleeve;

Fig. 16 is an edge view of the ribbon ratchet and cam;

Fig. 17 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Fig. 18 is a view of a section of the tape showing the markings made thereon by the machine of my invention;

Fig. 19 is a wiring diagram for the device of my invention;

Fig. 20 is an inside elevational view of the cover for the paper reel end of the housing;

Fig. 21 is a similar View of a cover for the paper receiver end of the housing;

Fig. 22 is a rear view of the recorder mechanism removed from the remainder of the assembly;

Fig. 23 is a view of the ribbon ratchet feed re' moved from the remainder of the mechanism;

Fig. 24 is an elevational view of the operators y;

Fig. 25 is a view of the operators key barrel removed from the other mechanism;

Fig. 26 is a vertical medial section taken through the symbol wheel shaft and the character wheels with surrounding parts omitted to more clearly show the structure;

Fig. 27 is an edge elevational view of a gear and cam assembly for recording clock time;

Fig. 28 is a side elevational view thereof from the gear side, the shape and position of the cam on the opposite side being shown by dotted lines; 3;;

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig. 27 of the minute register wheel;

Fig. 30, like Fig. 28, is a side elevationai view thereof;

Fig. 31 is an edge view of the hour wheel;

Fig. 32 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 33 is a side view of the register wheel for registering idle time together with the cam and rotated levers showing the manner in which they cooperate therewith;

Fig. 34 is a sectional view of the follower lever removed from its association with the other parts, but taken along the line (it-34 of Fig. 38;

Fig. 35 is a plan view of the counting solenoid clamping member;

Fig. 36 is a side elevational view of the counting,

leverand counting symbol wheel ratchet removed from the assembly;

Fig. 37 is a side elevational view of the first counting wheel; and

Fig. 38 is' a side elevational View of a counting wheel used in the clock time recorder.

The function of the apparatus of my invention can best be understood by reference to Fig. 18 which is a view of a portion of a tape as printed by the machine. As previously stated, the purpose of the machine is mainly, although not necessarily restricted thereto, for use in conjunction with machines in a shop to enable the foreman or supervisor to determine the chronological history of the machines operation. As shown in Fig. 18, the first column I shows the number of the man operating the machine. This number is determined by a key 32 in the possession of the operator, which key is inserted in the device when the operator comes on the particular job. If he is on the job but has not yet started actual production, he may set the symbol knob 33 to provide a registration for the reason for idle time; in this instance, the symbol A in column 2. There is then shown in columns 3 and 4 the total hours and minutes of idle time, this being determined by a clock which may start when the operators key is inserted or be connected to start when production ceases. Columns 5, 6 and 7 show the number of pieces made by the machine, which at the start would be zero.

The last four columns 8, a N3 and H show the day, year, hour (24 hour day) and minutes. These numbers are operated by a clock independent of the other numbers or columns and normally would run continuously. When the operator puts his key in the machine, a printing action may be effected which will show on the tape the mans clock number, the time he started, and then subsequently the other information as indicated.

The ultimate objective then of the mechanism to be described is to afford the recording of this information.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the invention is so coordinated that, although the device is a unitary whole, it is made up of a number of discrete sub-assemblies, which not only increase the ease of assembly but result in certain economies of manufacture as well as resulting in greater accessibility to the various parts A base housing 15 is provided which houses the paper tape carrying mechanism and the means for advancing the tape. This housing has secured thereto by screws Id at one side a second housing section I 6 which provides a cover for the tape operating mechanism which extends beyond the side of the base housing. This housing is provided with a removable cover plate I! held in place by screws It. A boss [9 is provided at the bottom of the housing [6 having grommets '20 through which a line cord 2| and a circuit cord 22 extend from the exterior of the housing-t the interior of the housing.

The upper end of the housing supports, in over hanging relation to the housing 5 5, by screws I 4a, the recorder mechanism, which is supported on a separable frame and is covered by the removable cover 25. The cover 25 is held in position by set screws 26 disposed in cars 2! on the housing l6 and which may extend into openings in similar cars 28 on the cover. The cover is also held by a suitable latch or lock 35 disposed in a boss 29 on the cover and controlled by a key 24. The cover can only be removed by one having a key to fit the lock.

It will be noted that the recorder mechanism is supported in spaced relation above the printing mechanism, there actually being a gap 3! best shown in Fig. 1, between the two parts. Thus the mechanism is adapted to have a-time card or other sheet inserted in the gap if desired and to allow the same to be printed in the same manner as the tape.

This is also a convenient manner in which the setting of the counter wheels can be determined since the operator need only insert a sheet of blani: paper and cause the machine to print, the printed matter will then appear on the blank paper.

As can best be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the op eratcr key 32 is inserted through an opening in the cover plate H. The symbol knob 33 is dis posed exterior-1y of the cover plate, being provided with lettered'indicia from A to S inclusive, whereby the same may be turned to indicate the various reasons for idle time, or for regular operation.

f iBase housing and tape feed mechanism As previously stated, there is provided a base housing l5 to which a side housing is secured and which in turn supports the recorder housing. The base housing comprises a generally rectangular box including spaced apart parallel side walls 36 and 31 connected by a bottom wall 38. The endsof the housing are open to provide access to the interior and a vertically extending partition 39 extending transversely across the base formed with grooves 41, Fig. 11, which serve to guide the reel when it is inserted in position. The

end Fig. 4, comprises a spring pressed plunger which, as can be seen in Fig. 3, is visible from the outside of the housing. The plunger is provided with a shank 48 which extends through a plug 49 disposed in a hollow core 58 of the reel. A spring 5| disposed in a bore has one end engaging the end of the bore, and the other end engages a shoulder 52 on the plunger and urges the plunger outward, the outward movement being limited by a key 53 on the end thereof.

The reel may therefore be disengaged from its support with the housing by pushing it to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, which enables the end 45 to be removed from its bearing. The end is then pulled rearward slightly and the other end pushed inward by the finger which can engage the" end 45, or a tool may be used to disengage that end, by pushing it inward, out of its bearing; it may then be slid outward in the grooves 41.

When the reel is inserted, the ends 45 and 45' are placed in the grooves 41 by telescoping the end 45' inward, and the reel is then pushed into position, the ends snapping into the openings in the walls.

The open end of the housing, and the chamber 40, which houses the paper roll, is closed bya removable cover, Fig. 20, having a perpendicular wall 55 and a top wall 56; the cover fitting flush with the walls by seating on a seat 59, Fig. 11, as best shown in Fig. 10. The cover is removably held in place by latches 51 having operating knobs 58 extending rearwardly of the cover. The

latches comprise rods which are slidably journalled in bosses 68 on the inside of the cover.

The ends of the rods are reduced at 6| and a seat. The top of the housing is provided with a wall 18. extending across the housing, the wall being in spaced relation from the top 56 of the cover to provide a gap H through which the paper may be trained. The wall extends toward the front of the housing, covering all but the ends of the printing hammers and is provided with a slot or gap 12 near the front end, through which the heads of the hammers operate.

The front end of the housing carries the paper feed roll and the printed paper receptacle. The paper feed roll, Figs. 7 and 10, comprises a shaft 15 which is rotatably journalled in the side walls 36 and 31. It extends beyond the wall 38 and is provided with a knurled knob 16, which is pinned on the shaft by a pin 11. The other end of the shaft extends through an outwardly extending boss integral with the side wall 31. The ex tremity of the shaft is provided with a ratchet gear 18 pinned on the shaft by a pin 19. Between the two walls the feed roll carries a core sleeve 8| adjacent the wall 31, the end part of which is at the center of the roll and is enlarged and knurled at 82. The knurled portion carries a rubber sleeve 83 which is flanked on one side by a 1 metal sleeve 84 disposed on the sleeve 8| and the the rubber of the feed roller by a pressure mem ber carried by a small cover for the upper corner of the forward end of the housing (Fig. 21). The cover is similar to that for the other end of the housing but smaller. It includes a vertically extending front part 90, the bottom of which is provided with an outwardly curved lip 9|, and a top horizontally extending wall 92. The cover is held in place in exactly the same manner as previously described, the latches 94 which are disposed in bosses 95 on the interior of the cover;

being operated by knobs 96.

The pressure member which is carried by the cover includes a spring bracket 93 riveted to the cover at 99. It is provided with a bifurcating. end I between the ends of which the roller |8| is journalled by a pin I82.

In operation the paper is merely drawn over the feed roller with the cover removed and the cover when replaced causes the roller |8| to engage the paper between the roller |8| and the rubber portion 83. This makes the threading of the paper through the device an extremely simple operation.

out as it is fed by the roller, this being due to the fact that the paper is pulled from the reel overthe partition and printing opening by exerting frictional force to the center of the paper in a very limited area.

The paper after leaving the feed roller runs downward into a paper receiving receptacle,

where it coils itself up and can be stored untilsuch a time as it is desirable to tear it off. It may also be brought out exteriorly past the lip 9| of the cover if desired, the lip also being used at a point where the paper may be torn ofi The paper receptacle comprises a hollow cylindrical drum, which may be fabricated of sheet metal and comprises a cylinddical exterior wall IE5, which may be chrome or nickle plated, and is held in position by circular end walls I06 and H11. Figs. 1,. 10 and 11. The end walls are provided with tongues I88 which engage in notches I09 in the end of the cylinder wall, the assemblyv The construction is such that the paper, even if inserted askew tends to straighten being brazed orfsilver. soldered to. hold the parts in position prior to plating. f '1 The receptacle is rotatablyisupportedjwithin certain" limits, between the side walls 36 and 31 of' the'hou'sing; The end wall I91 is provided with'an' axial opening .I [9 into which the'bearingend III of a screw H2, which is threaded through the walls 31 of the housing, extends (Figs. '7, 9, and 11). The other end wall, I66, is provided with a circular opening H4 having an inwardly extending tongue I I which is disposed in interlocking engagement with a supporting coupling; The supporting coupling includes the complementary-member II6, which is disposed on the inside of the housing and provides an easy fit with the opening H4, and a shaft II1 which extends rotatably through the wall 36 of the housing and is held in place'by an exteriorly disposed knurled knob I49 that is pinned to the shaft I I1 by a pin II9. Toe-knob allows the receptacle to be turned within limits and the receptacle'may be removed by taking out the screw H2 and the coupling I-I6.

- The receptacle cylindrical wall is formed with a longitudinally extending opening I2I, of sufficient width circumferentially of the receptacle to allow ample room for the paper to travel into the receptacle. The rotary movement of the receptacle, which may be rotated by the knob H8, is limited by the end I22 of a screw I23 threaded in the wall 31 and which end extends into an arcuate slot I24 in the end wall I01 of the receptacle. The receptacle is held frictionally against easy turning by an adjustable ball detent or bullet catch which includes the adjusting screw I26 and lock nut I21 that forces the catch I28 into openings I29 or I23a in the endwall I61. It will be noted that in one position the opening I 2| is disposed beneath the cover and inward of the lip 9|. In this position the smooth exterior surface of the receptacle extends slightly beyond the front of the device as can best be seen in Fig. 10. This surface also provides a convenient platen for the paper, when it extends out of the receptacle beyond the lip 9! of the cover, permitting certain pencil notations to be made thereon should the operator so desire. The receptacle, when rotated within the limits of the slot I24, presents the opening well below the lip 9| enabling the paper to be removed or the end to be easily inserted if it is at the start ofan operating period.

The paper feed roller is rotated, through the ratchet gear 13 by a ratchet which is operated by a solenoid. The same solenoid is arrangedso that on its energized stroke the paper is first moved, and on the release stroke the printing occurs.

The solenoid includes the usual E laminations to provide a stator I3I, Fig.9, to which, at I32, isriveted a bracket I33, by means of which the stator is mounted on posts I34 extending outward from the wall 31, by hollow head screws I35. The usual winding I36 for the solenoid is provided, the connection being omitted in the drawing for the sake of clarity. It is provided with an armature I31 of T shape, which is reciprocable between the pole pieces and into the solenoidin the usual manner. The head of the armature is provided with a pair of cars I38, between which is pivotally secured a short link I39. The other end of the link is secured by a pivot pin I4I to a'ratchet bar I42. The end of the ratchet bar extends under and beyond the ratchet gear 18 and is provided with a gear engaging 82. tooth I44. The-undersurface of the-baropp'osite the. tooth I44 slants asindicated at I45. Thisend is guided. by an angle bracket I46- which is secured on. theend of. a (post extending outward fromthej housing wall 31, by screws I41. The bracket is provided with a guide .notch I48 into'whichthe bar extends. A spring I50, having one" endanchored in .an ear .I5I on the ratchet bar, is adjustably secured to the bracket I46 by .an eye bolt I52, a lock nut I53 being provided for lock;- ing the same'in position. The spring pulls the ratchet bar, and the armature. solenoid, toward the bracket, the movement of thebar being limited by a boss I54 which engages the bracket. Y A ratchet assist pawl I56 is disposed above the bar, Fig. 9, being pivotally supported onapost. 151 by a headed pin I58, whichhasa shank extending into the post and secured in place by a lockpin I59. The bar has a ratchet engaging point- I66 and is held in contact with the ratchet, by a spring IBZinterposed betweenza shoulder I63 on the pawl and an abutment I64 carried by the post I51. The spring has one end seated in a recess inthe abut-. ment I64 and the other end seated around a projection on the shoulder I63. 1 v The operation should be obvious. When the solenoid is energized, the armature is attracted into the solenoidpulling with it the link I39 and the ratchet bar I42 against the pressure of the spring I50. The tooth I44 engages theratchet: gear 18 turning the gear and the shaft 15 of the feed roll, the assist pawl I56 operating in the usual manner.

Theratchet is held in, its pawl engaging position due to the upward pressure aiforded by the spring I 50 which is connected to theiear 1 5I below a horizontal line passing through the ratchet bar pivot -I4I. Downward movement of the end or the ratchet bar is limited by the slanting bottom edge I45 which may bottom in the slot I48 of the bracket at the end of the stroke. The slanting bottom edge also assures that the bar willmove upward on the return stroke when the solenoid is de-energized; 1

Thaprinting hammer action Printing of the paper is effected by forcing the paper upward with a rubber nosed 'harrmier against-the printing ribbon which is backed {up by the recorder having theprinting wheels with the various indicia thereon. As previously stated, the paper is first moved by the solenoid. The printing is then effected upon release of the solenoid. The

ribbon-feed is also controlled by the same solenoid indirectly. The manner ofoperation is arranged so that the printing stroke occurs upon thede energization of the solenoid, rather. than upon energization, in order that the printing stroke or actual impression would be the same regardless of variations in-line voltage or the time during the' cycle -(the solenoid is preferably A. C. operated) when the solenoid circuit is energized. This is effected by what may be termed a cocking actionextend into the chamber 4| operating below'and through the'gap 12 in the wall 10. This is effected 

